But I can’t just let her drag me all over the world.
Talon’s gentle laughter filled his head. Well, it’s a good thing she doesn’t know much about the world, then, isn’t it?
It took him long minutes to realize that no one was mad at him. No one wanted to hurt him for what he’d done. Leilani wasn’t really even scared of him, she was just nervous about what had happened. And why not? Sliding could be completely disorienting.
Elowyn, Triton, and Talon all showed up at the same moment.
He waved. “Hey, um, so this happened.”
Elowyn rolled his eyes and Triton held his arms open for Leilani. “She’s got a will on her don’t you, Leilani, honey? You have to ask before you slide with Uncle Mercury. Xoffar wasn’t ready.”
She blinked up at him, squeezed his hand. “Sowwy.”
He smiled and nodded, then glanced at Elowyn. “I’ve never had that happen before.”
Triton snorted. “You hear that a lot in response to Leilani. A lot, a lot. Where’s Cerran?”
Elowyn shrugged. “Working.”
Mercury’s cheeks heated again. “I just wanted to help. I do apologize.”
I’m so sorry, braaken. I swear, I didn’t expect it.
Stop. Elowyn’s not mad at you. He’s mad at Cerran.
Oh, well, I don’t want to get involved in that, do I?He tried not to smile because that was not his place, but he had a feeling it would come to a head. Elowyn didn’t seem particularly meek.
Nope, not one little bit.Talon gave him a broad wink.
“You swim too, Papa?” When Leilani beamed up at Triton as if this was her whole goal all along. To get her dad there.
“Sollon, should we swim with these hooligans?”
“Absolutely.” Talon kissed his cheek. “I just said I wanted to swim with you, and now I get my chance and I get a chance with all of these little ones.”
Little Serena hooted and leapt out of Elowyn’s arms into Talon’s, not questioning for a second that he would catch her.
“Go see your Xoffar Mercury. I will go change very quickly, and I’ll be back in two shakes. Don’t slide anywhere.” Talon winked at him.
“No, no, my feet are staying right here.” He expected it now, so he could just be firm with himself and with Leilani.
He took little Serena easily, holding her with care.
The braaken left to change, and he glanced at Elowyn. “I am so sorry. I didn’t expect it. She is very strong-willed, and I wasn’t?—”
“Mercury! It’s fine. I knew you hadn’t stolen her.” Elowyn leaned close. “No one would steal her. No one could steal her.” He pointed to the blue bubble surrounding the keep. “This? Keeps us safe.”
“Oh. Oh, wonderful.” A full ninety percent of his worry was the fact that he could have just ended up anywhere with this poor little girl and not been able to get her home. That was a horrifying thought. “I would never hurt your child. I wish for you to know that, never.”
“Of course you wouldn’t. You’re family. Come on, let’s get in the water. The braaken will be back soon.”
He nodded, stripping off his outer clothing, and he shivered because even in the humid warmth of the pool area he was a little chilly, enough to make his nipples harden. So he slid into the pool, making sure he was in a place where it was shallowenough that he could stand on his own two feet to begin with. It had been a long time since he had been where he could swim.
“Here you take her.” Elowyn handed over Leilani, who giggled and splashed as soon as he took her and held her above the water.
“You can get her wet. She loves it.” Elowyn marshaled the other children into the water, none of them needed floaties or anything because they were dragon children, but they were still small enough that he felt like he needed to keep a close eye on them.
Then the braaken joined them, and he had to admit the sight of Talon’s scarred, muscled body in a tiny pair of swim trunks made his mouth dry. Mercury had to stare for a few moments. Long enough for Leilani to reach up to grab his nose and honk it like some sort of horn.
